MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE
We would like to make sure you are aware of all your obligations and entitlements under this policy,
so please read this document carefully.
After you have read it, please contact Autosure on
0800 227 787
if you would like further information.
WHAT TO dO If yOU HAVE A CLAIM
If your vehicle is involved in an accident:
phone 0800 227 787 to find out what you need to do.
•
We will provide the following services:
help you lodge your claim;
• advise you which repairer to go to;
• manage the assessing and repairs for you;
• tow your vehicle to and from repairers when necessary.
•
While your vehicle is being repaired:
we will give you regular updates of what stage the repair of your vehicle is at;
• you may have the option of a replacement vehicle*.
•
When your vehicle is repaired by a Vero/NZAA approved repairer:
it will be quality checked;
• we will guarantee the repair work while you own the vehicle.
•
If your vehicle is stolen you must:
notify the police immediately;
• notify us immediately by ringing 0800 227 787.
•
If you have a windscreen or other glass claim:
phone 0800 227 787 to arrange repair or replacement.
•
No excess applies to windscreen claims.
Important Note: For a full description of Policy conditions relating to claims, please refer to Policy conditions at the back of your Policy Document.
* conditions apply
fAIR INSURANCE COdE
We belong to the Insurance Council of New Zealand and have made a commitment to the Council’s Fair Insurance Code.
The Fair Insurance Code requires us to:
provide insurance contracts which are understandable and show the legal rights 1.
and obligations of both you and us;
explain the meaning of legal or technical words or phrases;
2. explain the meanings of particular words or phrases as they apply in the policy;
3. settle all valid claims fairly and promptly;
4. clearly explain the reason(s) why a claim has been declined;
5.
provide you with a written summary of our complaints procedure as soon as 6. disputes arise and advise you how to lodge a complaint;
advertise our complaints procedure and the Insurance and Savings Ombudsman 7. Scheme and make these readily available in all our branch offices;
be financially sound as measured by the Council’s solvency test, which means we 8.
have reserves equal to at least 20% of our premium income.
30-dAy MONEy BACk GUARANTEE
If you are not satisfied with the cover provided by the policy you may return the policy within 30 days of receiving it. If you have not made any claims during that 30 days you will be given a full refund of any premium paid.
PRIVACy ACT ANd THE INSURANCE CLAIMS REGISTER (ICR)
The ICR is a database of insurance claims to which participant insurers have access.
The purpose of the ICR is to prevent insurance fraud. The ICR is operated by Insurance Claims Register Limited (ICR Ltd), PO Box 474, Wellington. This policy is issued to you on the condition that you authorise us to place details of any claims made against this policy on the database of ICR Ltd, where they will be retained and be available for other insurance companies to inspect. You also authorise us to obtain from ICR Ltd personal information about you that is (in our view) relevant to this policy or any claim made against it. You have certain rights of access to and correction of this information, subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act 1993.
INSURANCE COMPANIES (RATINGS ANd INSPECTION) ACT 1994
Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited has an A+ (Strong) insurer financial strength rating given by Standard and Poor’s (Australia) Pty Ltd on 7 January 2012. The rating scale is:
The rating from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
AAA Extremely Strong AA Very Strong A Strong
BBB Good BB Marginal B Weak
CCC Very Weak CC Extremely Weak R Regulatory Action
dEfINITIONS
Definitions explain words frequently used in the policy. Defined words are shown in this type style.
Accessories means:
fitted entertainment, communication and navigation systems;
• child restraints/seats;
• tools and breakdown equipment permanently kept in your vehicle, purchased by
• you to repair your vehicle;
car seat covers;
• first aid kit, torch, fire extinguisher, maps;
• other equipment (not otherwise defined) permanently fitted to the vehicle.
•
Accident and Accidental mean a sudden and unforeseen event causing physical loss or damage that is not intended or expected by you.
In New Zealand means in New Zealand or in transit within New Zealand.
Market value means the value of the vehicle immediately prior to the loss or damage.
Period of cover means the “period” or “period of insurance” specified on the schedule.
Premium is the amount you need to pay us to ensure cover commences or remains in force. This may mean the first premium or any subsequent premium and includes any government levies and taxes.
Schedule is the latest current policy schedule, expiry notice or insurance renewal issued to you.
Vehicle means any vehicle described on the schedule including equipment supplied and fitted by the manufacturer, and tools supplied by the manufacturer that would normally remain within the vehicle, and accessories. For the purposes of the Exclusions, vehicle also means any other vehicle covered by this policy, including any courtesy or hire vehicle arranged by us for you whilst your vehicle is being repaired.
We, us or our means Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited.
You or your means the insured person or persons named on the schedule, and their partner.
Partner means a marriage partner, or de facto partner as defined in the Property (Relationship) Act 1976 or civil union partner in terms of the Civil Union Act 2004.
dESCRIPTION Of USE
Your vehicle is covered for private use, as defined below. Please also refer to Exclusion 3 for details of other excluded uses.
Your vehicle is covered while it is being used for social, domestic, pleasure and 1. farming purposes.
There is no cover if your vehicle is being used:
2.
for the carrying, hauling or towing of goods or
◊ samples in connection with any
trade or business other than farming; or in connection with the motor trade or for business
◊ purposes by commission
agents, sales or service persons, commercial travellers, insurance
representatives, insurance assessors, motor driving instructors, stock, station or real estate agents, taxi or courier drivers.
INTROdUCTION
We will provide the cover set out in this policy during the period of cover shown on the schedule provided you have paid the premium and subject to the policy’s terms, limits, conditions and exclusions.
Your insurance contract consists of three parts:
this pre-printed policy document;
1. the personalised schedule with details of the cover which applies to you; and 2. the information in the proposal, application or declaration.
3.
Note – You must immediately advise us if your vehicle is altered or modified from the manufacturers’ standard specifications. This may result in an increase in premium, a change in terms or conditions or us giving notice of cancellation of cover.
WHAT yOU ARE INSUREd fOR
We will insure you for accidental loss or damage to your vehicle anywhere in New Zealand during the period of cover with us.
WHAT WE WILL PAy – AT OUR OPTION
The cost to repair or replace your vehicle or make a payment up to the market value.
LIMITS ON WHAT WE WILL PAy fOR:
PArts
The most we will pay for any part or accessory not available in New Zealand is the lesser of:
the manufacturer’s last known list price in New Zealand;
◊ the price of the part’s closest New Zealand equivalent; or
◊
the cost of having a new part made in New Zealand.
◊
We will not pay for the cost of freighting parts or accessories from overseas or for the replacement of any part that has not been damaged.
ACCESSORIES
We will not pay more than $1,000 in total for loss or damage to accessories unless such equipment is the manufacturer’s standard fitting for the vehicle model, unless a higher amount is shown on the schedule.
PAINT
We will only pay for the repainting of those areas that have been damaged. We will not pay additional costs due to the inability to match new paint to existing paint.
REPAIRS
If we elect to repair your vehicle, you may use the repairer of your choice. If you choose a Vero/NZAA approved repairer we will pay the cost of repairs and guarantee the work while you own the vehicle, otherwise we will not pay more than our assessor’s estimate of the cost of repairs.
If the repair makes a major improvement to the pre-accident condition or value of the vehicle then you may be required to make a contribution towards the cost of repairs.
THIRd PARTy COVER
When noted on the schedule in respect of a particular vehicle that “third party cover applies”, cover on your vehicle is limited to loss or damage as a result of an accident caused by an uninsured other party. Cover will only apply if we are satisfied that:
the driver of your vehicle was completely free of blame; and
◊
the identity of the other party who caused the damage is established; and
◊ the other party did not have valid insurance.
◊
The maximum amount payable for any claim will be the market value of your vehicle or $3,000 whichever is less.
AddITIONAL BENEfITS
WE WILL ALSO PAy fOR:
1. LegAL LiAbiLity
We will pay for your legal liability for damage to property arising from accidents caused by your vehicle. We will pay up to $1,000,000 (plus legal costs and expenses incurred with our consent) in respect of any one accident or number of accidents arising out of one event.
We will extend this benefit to provide the same cover:
to any person who is driving your vehicle with your consent and who is not a.
otherwise excluded from the policy cover;
for accidents caused by any other motor car being driven by you in person, b.
provided it does not belong to you and is not hired to you under a hire purchase or lease arrangement, except as agreed by us when we arrange a courtesy or hire vehicle. No cover is provided for damage to the car being driven.
to your employer while your vehicle is being driven with your permission on your c.
employer’s business; and
for damage caused by any trailer or caravan while attached to your vehicle.
d.
But we will not pay:
for damage to property (including motor vehicles) in your or the driver’s i.
custody or control. However damage to a disabled vehicle being towed (other than for reward) is covered. Damage to the property of passengers is also covered;
if you or any person or organisation to whom this section applies is entitled to ii.
indemnity under any other policy;
if you or any person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this policy;
iii.
for any exemplary or punitive damages.
iv.
An excess will not apply to any loss claimed for under this benefit where your vehicle is comprehensively insured and you are not claiming for damage to your vehicle arising from the same incident.
2. Forest And rurAL Fires Act
We will pay you up to a maximum of $1,000,000 (plus legal costs and expenses incurred with our consent) for all sums that you shall become legally liable to pay, arising out of any one event and arising from your ownership of the vehicle insured under this policy, whether or not damage to property has occurred, in respect of:
costs incurred and apportioned by the Fire Authority under the Forest and Rural a.
Fires Act 1977, (or any replacement Act and any subsequent amendments);
costs claimed by any other party in order to protect their property from fire.
b.
We will not pay for:
levies for expenditure under Sections 44, 45, 46 & 46A of the Forest and Rural i.
Fires Act 1977;
fines or penalties;
ii.
gross negligence or deliberate damage caused by you;
iii.
fire intentionally lit by you that does not comply with the Forest and Rural Fires iv.
Act 1977 and its amendments or any other statutory or local body requirement governing the lighting of fires.
Any payment made under this additional benefit shall be cumulative on any payment that may be made under the Legal Liability benefit of this policy, and our combined payment for this benefit and that which is provided under the Legal Liability benefit will not exceed $1,000,000 (plus legal costs and expenses incurred with our consent) for any one event.
3. VehicLe chAnge
If you replace a vehicle, or buy an additional vehicle for your sole use then we will insure the replacement or additional vehicle for its market value but otherwise on the same terms that apply to the vehicle shown on the schedule, but only if:
you tell us within 30 days after buying the replacement or additional vehicle and a.
provide full details; and
you pay any extra premium which we may require; and b.
the vehicle purchased is valued at no more than $30,000.
c.
4. VehicLe serVicing And emergency
If there are any driver restrictions on this policy we will not apply them when your vehicle is being driven:
by a member of the motor trade who is professionally engaged in the overhaul, a.
upkeep or repair of the vehicle; or
to a medical facility in the event of a medical emergency.
b.
5. goods And serVices tAx – gst
All limits, amounts and excesses shown are GST inclusive.
THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS APPLY ONLY WHERE YOUR VEHICLE IS INSURED COMPREHENSIVELY:
6. trAiLers
We will cover any trailer owned, hired or leased by you but excluding:
caravans or boat, horse or camper trailers;
a.
the contents of any trailer;
b.
trailers which are insured by another policy; or c.
trailers which cannot be drawn by your vehicle.
d.
We will pay up to $1,000 for any one event. An excess of $100 applies to each and every claim.
7. emergency costs
If you have an accident for which there is a valid claim under this policy, we will pay the reasonable costs of:
having your vehicle removed to the nearest repairer or place of safety;
a.
essential repairs so you can get your vehicle to your destination or a repairer;
b.
returning your vehicle to your home following its repair, or if it was stolen, c.
following its recovery.
We will also pay the reasonable costs of accommodating and transporting you and your passengers to your home if your vehicle cannot be driven, to a maximum of $500.
ExCLUSIONS
We will not pay for:
1. Any excess
You must contribute the amount(s) shown on the schedule under the heading
“Excesses” as the first amount of any claim. There are various excesses that may show on the schedule. These are:
stAndArd excess
This excess applies to each and every claim.
imPosed excess
Any vehicle noted on the schedule under “Imposed Excess” is subject to the additional excess shown on the schedule.
Windscreen And gLAss excess
Claims for windscreens, sun-roofs, windows, headlights and headlight protectors or tail lights without other damage will be free of excess.
internAtionAL excess
Any drivers of your vehicle who do not hold a New Zealand licence but do hold an International licence at the time of the accident are subject to the additional excess shown on the schedule.
unnAmed driVer excess
Where you have received a premium discount for restricting drivers to those named on the schedule any unnamed drivers of your vehicle are subject to the additional excess shown on the schedule.
VoLuntAry excess
Where you have received a premium discount for voluntarily increasing your standard excess, the voluntary excess shown on the schedule is additional to the standard excess.
neW driVer excess
Any drivers of your vehicle over the age of 25 who have not held a New Zealand drivers licence for more than 12 months at the time of the accident are subject to the additional excess shown on the schedule.
underAge excess
Any drivers of your vehicle who are under the age of 25 at the time of the accident, are subject to the additional excess shown on the schedule.
sPeciAL excess
Any drivers of your vehicle who are noted on the schedule under “Special Excess” are subject to the additional excess shown on the schedule.
All excesses are cumulative.
Where a single event causes loss or damage to property or items insured by you with us under more than one insurance policy, only one policy excess will apply. The amount of the excess will be the highest excess that we could apply under any of the policies affected.
2. We WiLL not PAy For:
loss of use or consequential loss, depreciation, wear and tear, corrosion, existing a.
defects or damage;
breakdown, failure or breakage of:
b. i. any component or accessory; or
the engine, transmission, mechanical, electrical or electronic systems, or ii. any loss which their failure may cause to the rest of these systems;
iii.
damage to tyres by application of brakes or by punctures, cuts or bursts, or c.
bursting unless the vehicle suffers other loss or damage in an accident, or the damage is deliberate and is caused by a person not insured by this policy;
costs which can be recovered under the provisions of the Injury Prevention, d. Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001 (or any replacement Act) and any
subsequent amendments.
3. Losses When your VehicLe is being:
used other than in accordance with the description of use;
a. used for hire or carrying of fare paying passengers;
b.
used anywhere for (or being tested in preparation for)racing of any kind, pace- c. making, trials, tests, demonstrations,race track driver training, or race track
vehicle handling lessons (or similar events) whether organised or not;
driven on a racetrack whether sealed or not and whether in the presence of d. other vehicles or not.
4. Losses When your VehicLe is being used or driVen by Any Person Who:
does not have a licence which is in full force and effect to drive your vehicle at a. the time and place of the accident; or
is not complying with the conditions of his/her licence; or b.
is excluded from the policy cover.
c.
5. Losses When your VehicLe is being used or driVen by Any Person Who:
at the time of the accident giving rise to a claim under this policy is under the a.
influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug or who has a proportion of alcohol in their blood or breath higher than that allowed under New Zealand road traffic law. If your vehicle is being used or driven by a person who at the time of the accident giving rise to a claim under this policy is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, cover will still apply if you can establish that the proportion of alcohol in the breath of the person is lower than that allowed under New Zealand road traffic law. It will be assumed that the proportion of alcohol in the blood or breath at the time of the accident was no less than the proportion of alcohol in any subsequent blood sample or breath test carried out following the accident;
following an accident giving rise to a claim under this policy refuses to undergo a b.
breath test or provide a blood sample having been lawfully requested to do so or fails to stop or leaves the scene of the accident when it is an offence to do so.
6. Losses thAt Arise From your VehicLe being in An unsAFe or dAmAged condition:
unless you can prove that such condition did not cause or contribute to the loss or damage. Cover will still apply if you can prove that you and the driver were unaware of such condition and had taken all reasonable steps to maintain your vehicle in a safe condition.
7. Loss, destruction, dAmAge or LiAbiLity directLy or indirectLy cAused by:
war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, warlike operations (whether war be declared a. or not), revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power or confiscation,
destruction or acquisition by government or local authorities;
nuclear weapons, ionising radiations or contamination byradioactivity from b. nuclear fuel or the combustion of waste from nuclear fuel;
any act of terrorism including loss, destruction, damage or liability that arises c. from, is consequent upon or arises in connection with biological, chemical,
radioactive, or nuclear:
pollution;
i. contamination; or ii. explosion.
iii.
An act of terrorism means an act, including but not limited to the use of force or violence or the threat thereof, which from its nature and context is done for, or in connection with,political, religious, ideological, ethnic or similar purposes, including the intention to influence any government and/or to put the public or any section of the public in fear.
POLICy CONdITIONS
1. Assignment
You must not assign or attempt to assign this policy or your interest in this policy to any other person or party without our written consent.
2. breAch oF PoLicy terms And conditions
No claim will be payable where any person entitled to indemnity under this policy breaches any of the policy terms or conditions. Nothing in this policy affects our right to avoid the policy for non-disclosure.
3. cAnceLLAtion
Where you are not paying by instalments we may cancel this policy at any time by sending a letter to this effect to youat your last known postal address. If your vehicle is mortgaged or secured by any other financial agreement, a copy of the letter will be sent to the interested party. The cancellation will take effect at 4.00 pm on the 30th day after the letter has been sent. We will refund the unused part of your paid premium. You may cancel this policy by giving written notice to us. We will refund 80%
of the unused part of your paid premium provided that you have not made a claim.
4. cAre oF motor VehicLe
You must take all reasonable steps to prevent loss or damage and maintain your vehicle in good repair. We will always have the right to examine your vehicle.
5. cLAims
On the happening of any event that may give rise to a claim under this policy you a. must:
immediately notify us of such event;
i. take all reasonable steps to minimise the extent of loss or damage;
ii. immediately send us any communications which you receive in relation to an iii.
event which may give rise to a claim;
obtain our consent before proceeding with repairs;
iv.
make your vehicle available for inspection by us;
v. provide all proofs, information and other evidence, and otherwise give all vi. possible assistance that we may require; and
in the case of loss by theft, burglary or vandalism advise the Police vii.
immediately.
You shall not without our written consent incur any expense or negotiate, pay, a. settle, admit, repudiate or make any agreement in relation to any claim.
We shall be entitled at our expense and in your name to take any proceedings b. necessary to obtain relief from any other party and to take over and conduct the
defence and settlement of any claim. You must provide all reasonable assistance and co-operation.
If we pay the market value then the cover is finished and no premium is c. refundable. We may keep whatever is left or recovered of the vehicle.
6. correctness oF stAtements And FrAud
The proposal, application or declaration form is the basis of this contract. All statements made by you or on your behalf either on the proposal form or otherwise in support of this policy or any claim must be complete and correct in all respects. If any claim under this policy is supported by any incorrect information or statement all benefits under this policy will be forfeited.
7. duty oF discLosure/chAnge oF circumstAnces
You must tell us everything that may be relevant to our decision to issue, renew or alter the policy and you must tell us of any changes to any circumstances relevant to this policy as soon as you know about them.
8. instALment Premiums
Where we have agreed to accept payment of premium by instalments:
we reserve the right in the event of a claim being made to require immediate a.
payment of the balance of any annual premium; and
all benefits under this policy will be forfeited from the date the first unpaid b. instalment was due and your policy automatically cancelled if:
any three consecutive fortnightly instalmentsremain unpaid; or i. any two consecutive monthly instalments remain unpaid; or ii.
any quarterly or half yearly payments remain unpaid 14 days after the due date iii.
of the instalment. Where any instalment is overdue and the policy has not been cancelled, all benefits under this policy will be forfeited from the date the first unpaid instalment was due until the date we receive all the overdue instalment premiums. Any claim proceeds payable to you under this policy will be withheld by us until you have brought all instalments up to date.
9. Joint insureds
Where this policy is issued in joint names, then this policy is a joint policy. This means that if one of you does or fails to do anything so that there is no cover, there will be no cover for any of you not just the person responsible.
10. Jurisdiction
This policy is governed by New Zealand law and the New Zealand courts have exclusive jurisdiction over any legal proceedings about it.
11. modiFicAtions
You must immediately advise us if your vehicle is altered or modified from the manufacturers’ standard specifications. This may result in an increase in premium, a change in terms or conditions or us giving notice of cancellation of cover.
12. other insurAnce
This policy does not cover loss or liability where cover is already provided by other insurance. We will not contribute towards any claim under any other policy.
13. other interests
If your vehicle is mortgaged or secured by any other financial agreement, we may make payment for any loss direct to the interested party. This will meet our obligations under this policy.
VARIATIONS TO THE COVER
This policy sets out the standard cover for your vehicle. The cover may be varied by one or more of the following clauses being applied. The schedule will indicate which clauses if any apply and will note any other variations to the cover.
sum insured Limit
When this clause is noted on the schedule against a particular vehicle, the maximum amount payable will be the lesser of market value or the sum insured shown on the schedule.
nAmed driVer WArrAnty
When this clause is noted on the schedule against a particular vehicle, the amount shown as the unnamed driver excess on the schedule will apply as an excess if your vehicle is being driven by any person other than those listed on the schedule.
excLuded driVer WArrAnty
When this clause is noted on the schedule against a particular vehicle, no cover will apply while the vehicle is being driven by those excluded drivers.
comPuLsory nAmed driVer WArrAnty
When this clause is noted on the schedule against a particular vehicle, no cover will apply while the vehicle is being driven by any person other than those listed on the schedule.
excLuding under 25 yeAr oLd driVers
When this clause is noted on the schedule against a particular vehicle, no cover will apply while the vehicle is being used or driven by any person aged under 25.
